"From our understanding she has had multiple litters on a chain with a lot of babies not surviving," Trinity, West Coast director of Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue, told The Dodo.

Finally, the family decided that they no longer wanted the very pregnant Dory, and surrendered her to the Clewiston Animal Control. Unfortunately, the public shelter was very overcrowded and rescuers were worried Dory might not make it out alive.

A local foster mom who has worked with Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue heard about Dory and knew she had to help. She contacted the group and asked if it would take her on - and the rescue said yes. The woman then became Dory's foster mom, and the pair began preparing for the babies to arrive.